Your views in 200 words or less

January 30, 2014 1:23 pm

It is no wonder the public has lost faith in its political leaders and government employees. The most recent local example is the Tacoma Narrows Airport’s proposed extension of the runway by 1,300 feet.

To obtain the permit to construct the tunnel over Stone Drive, testimony before the permit hearing examiner from the applicant, airport staff, tenants and pilots were replete with statements that the tunnel project will not authorize expansion of the airport, nor will it create a precedent for future expansion of the airport.

The permit was granted and the tunnel constructed for the sole purpose of creating a Runway Safety Area!

The airport has absolutely no justification to increase the length of the runway. The 20-year projection for increased jet traffic in no way justifies spending millions of federal, state and local tax dollars just so four or five corporate jets can take off with a full load of fuel and fly nonstop to play golf on the East Coast.

Commercial aviation has always supported corporate aviation. For example, a commercial flight flying between Los Angeles and San Francisco would generate $1,300 to $2,000 in taxes, depending on the number of passengers and the cost of the tickets. A private jet, requiring the same services from air-traffic controllers, would pay only about $60 in fuel taxes.

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